Testis-sparing surgery for testicular tumors in children: a 20 year single center experience and systematic review of the literature

Experimental study of the effectiveness of warm ischemia and cold ischemia during testis-sparing surgery in rats

INTRODUCTION

The postpubertal effects of testis-sparing surgery on prepubertal testicular tumors are not fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of different durations of warm and cold ischemia during a rat prepubertal testis-sparing surgery model on the ischemic and contralateral normal testes in the postpubertal period.

STUDY DESIGN

The study encompassed a group of 54 male rats in the prepubertal stage who were then arranged to be put into nine groups: sham (Sh), control-cold (Cc), control-biopsy (Cb), 30, 60 or 90min warm ischemia (WIb30,WIb60,WIb90) and cold ischemia (CIb30,CIb60,CIb90). In the ischemia groups, a microvascular clamp was applied to the right spermatic cord, then testicular biopsy was taken. In the cold ischemia groups, the testicles were preserved in sterile ice mud. After the experiment, the rats were observed for 4 weeks to pinpoint any changes during their progression into the post-pubertal period. Bilateral orchiectomy materials were examined histopathologically, and Johnsen scores were used to evaluate postpubertal fertility potential.

RESULTS

In our investigation, rats in all groups exhibited similar weight gains. The postpubertal size of the right testis in the testicular biopsy groups was found to be smaller compared to the remaining groups. In the warm ischemia group, testicular atrophy occurred after ischemic duration exceeding 30 min. Conversely, no testicular atrophy was observed in the cold ischemia groups. The dimensions of the rats' left testicles were similar. On histopathology, right testicular Johnsen scores were significantly lower in the warm ischemic groups than in the cold ischemic groups.

DISCUSSION

Our study is the first to investigate the postpubertal effects of varying durations of warm and cold ischemia in a prepubertal testis-sparing surgery model. In our study, the Johnsen scores of testes subjected to 30, 60, and 90 min of ischemia were found to be higher in the cold ischemia groups compared to the warm ischemia groups. As the ischemia duration prolonged, a discernible progression of testicular atrophy was observed in the warm ischemia groups, contrasting with the sustained stability of testicular sizes in the cold ischemia groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Warm ischemia applied to the testis causes damage to the testicle within the first 30 min and leads to atrophy after 30 min. In the cases of warm ischemia, both the Johnsen scores, which serve as indicators of post-pubertal fertility, and the testicular size decline in parallel with the duration of ischemia.

[Testicular tumor in a 9-year-old boy]

A 9-year-old boy presented to the emergency department after noticing a painless mass on the right testicle during self-examination in the shower. On physical examination, both testes were mobile and painless, with the right testis twice as big as the left and exhibiting palpable resistance. Sonographic examination revealed a uniformly demarcated mass with a ventral protrusion on the right testis. Tumor markers and blood tests were normal. The testis was exposed inguinally and the tumor was enucleated, which revealed a dermoid cyst. The testicle could thus be preserved. Final histology confirmed complete excision of the benign dermoid cyst (mature teratoma). As testicular tumors in prepubertal boys are rare and usually benign, an organ-preserving procedure with perioperative biopsy should be aimed for. Due to the rarity of studies on recurrence after organ-preserving testicular surgery, we recommended regular ultrasound examinations during the first year after surgery, followed by annual examinations for a period of 5 years.

Major surgical conditions of childhood and their lifelong implications: comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, the survival of children with congenital anomalies and paediatric cancer has improved dramatically such that there has been a steady shift towards understanding their lifelong health outcomes. Paediatric surgeons will actively manage such conditions in childhood and adolescence, however, adult surgeons must later care for these 'grown-ups' in adulthood. This article aims to highlight some of those rare disorders encountered by paediatric surgeons requiring long-term follow-up, their management in childhood and their survivorship impact, in order that the adult specialist may be better equipped with skills and knowledge to manage these patients into adulthood.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify relevant publications. Research studies, review articles and guidelines were sought, focusing on the paediatric management and long-term outcomes of surgical conditions of childhood. The article has been written for adult surgeon readership.

RESULTS

This article describes the aforementioned conditions, their management in childhood and their lifelong implications, including: oesophageal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, malrotation, short bowel syndrome, duodenal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, choledochal malformations, biliary atresia, Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformations, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital lung lesions and paediatric cancer.

CONCLUSION

The increasing survivorship of children affected by surgical conditions will translate into a growing population of adults with lifelong conditions and specialist healthcare needs. The importance of transition from childhood to adulthood is becoming realized. It is hoped that this timely review will enthuse the readership to offer care for such vulnerable patients, and to collaborate with paediatric surgeons in providing successful and seamless transitional care.

Multicenter retrospective study on benign testicular tumors in children: save as much as you can……please

BACKGROUND

Testicular tumors (TT) are infrequent in pediatric patients, representing 1% of pediatric solid tumors; benign testicular tumors (BTT) are the most common. We present a multicenter study aiming to describe the incidence, histology and surgical technique of BTT, with special emphasis on which approach could present better outcomes.

METHODS

The records of pediatric patients diagnosed with BTT between 2005 and 2020 from 8 centers in 5 different countries in Latin-America, were reviewed.

RESULTS

Sixty two BTTs were identified. 73% tumors presented as a testicular mass, and 97% underwent testicular ultrasound as the initial imaging study, all of them had findings suggestive of a benign tumor. 87% had preoperative tumor markers (AFP and BHCG). In 66%, an intraoperative biopsy was done and 98% of the intraoperative biopsies were concordant with the final pathology report. Tumorectomy was performed in 81% of patients and total orchiectomy in the remaining 19%. Six percentage of patients underwent a subsequent orchiectomy. Mean follow-up was 39 months (1-278 months) where no cases of atrophy were observed clinically or on ultrasound. Fertility was not evaluated in this series.

CONCLUSIONS

Proper management of BTTs is essential to avoid unnecessary orchiectomies. Preoperative ultrasound associated with intraoperative biopsy seems accurate in identifying benign pathology, thus enabling conservative testicular surgery with safety margins. Based on this multicenter series, we suggest performing an intraoperative biopsy with subsequent tumorectomy preserving healthy testicular tissue in BTT.

Spermatocytic tumor: A rare case report

BACKGROUND

Spermatocytic tumor is a rare, malignant neoplasm of the testes. Since the prognosis for this tumor type is favorable, accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other malignant testicular neoplasms (classic seminoma and lymphoma) are crucial. To add to the existing literature on the diagnosis of spermatocytic tumor, herein we report the detailed clinical and histopathologic findings for a case that we encountered.

CASE SUMMARY

A 60-year-old Chinese man presented with a solid mass in the right scrotum. The mass was surgically removed and spermatocytic tumor was diagnosed. On microscopy, the tumor cells displayed an unusual arrangement in lobules, presenting a pseudo-glandular appearance. To summarize and compare the diagnostic features of this tumor and those of the differential diagnoses, we report our case findings and those mentioned in the literature for various testicular tumors. Although imaging methods can detect masses early in development, their diagnostic capabilities are limited. Biopsy, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry are necessary for confirmatory diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

It is important to identify and review the key diagnostic features of spermatocytic tumor.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Leydig cell tumors]

BACKGROUND

Tumors of the testes not originating from germinal epithelium are a rare entity and represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Leydig cell tumors (LCT) are rare stromal tumors of the testis.

OBJECTIVES

To present current approaches in diagnostic and treatment of LCT.

METHODS

A literature search in PubMed was performed and the currently available guidelines concerning LCT were evaluated. Articles and book chapters were selected based on relevance to daily practice.

RESULTS

The low incidence of Leydig cell tumors not originating from the germinal epithelium, but from the stroma of the testis requires a standardized approach to determine relevant differential diagnosis and to optimize diagnosis and treatment depending on the current standard of knowledge and to determine whether it is benign or malignant. While more than 90% of LCT are benign and treatment is only restricted to the testis, malignant subtypes require radical surgical resection of the testicular and metastatic sites.

CONCLUSION

A standardized diagnostic and therapeutic approach as well as a prospective registry of rare LCT could facilitate further detailed analysis to improve the understanding of tumor biology resulting in optimized therapeutic guidelines including follow-up strategies.

Frozen-section examination in the management of paediatric testicular lesions

PURPOSE

Paediatric testicular and para-testicular lesions have traditionally been managed according to adult protocols. Testis-sparing surgery (TSS) has gained popularity as it has become apparent benign lesions predominate in childhood. Frozen-section examination (FSE) for intra-operative diagnosis has been extensively utilised in adults, though its use in paediatric practice remains limited. We reviewed our experience of FSE in paediatric patients with an aim to identify the utility and efficacy of this tool in the management of testicular and para-testicular pathology.

METHODS

A retrospective, single-centre review of paediatric patients who underwent intra-operative FSE for a range of testicular and para-testicular lesions was performed. FSE results were compared to final pathology. TSS was performed if appropriate, and was utilised in adolescent patients, and in lesions with a diameter greater than 20 mm.

RESULTS

Nine males underwent FSE from 2013 to 2020. Median age at surgery was 9 years (range 1-15). Eight (89%) patients had benign pathology. FSE result correlated with the final pathological examination in 100% of cases. FSE facilitated TSS in 7/9 cases.

CONCLUSION

FSE has 100% diagnostic accuracy for paediatric testicular and para-testicular pathology. We would recommend all lesions be evaluated by FSE to guide intra-operative decision making and facilitate TSS in appropriate cases.